Flag of Jarvis Island

Flag of Jarvis Island

Here is a flag for Jarvis Island - a rare part of the USA that is below the equator in the Southern Hemisphere.

Jarvis Island is at a latitude of zero degrees twenty-two seconds south. This puts it on par with the Galapagos, Brazil and Mount Kenya. Yet Jarvis is still in the Western-American Hemisphere since it is due south of Selawik, Alaska. Unlike American Samoa which is also below the equator, there is little chance of Jarvis Island ever breaking away. Jarvis Island is as much a part of the United States as is the Statue of Liberty.

Residents of Millersville waving
in front of Jarvis Island flag

Jarvis Island is an unincorporated unorganized territory managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service under the Department of Interior. Thus all 50 states play a small role in supporting the micro-science economy of the island.


Not much has ever happened on Jarvis. But during WWII there was the Battle of Millersville. The residents of Millersville, Jarvis Island mistook an Imperial Japanese Sub for their own and were shot at, luckily no one was hurt. Soon the the population of Millersville was evacuated and a scorched earth policy destroyed the town. It is reported that the Japanese bombed the island afterwards, when no one was there.


Jarvis' No Trespassing Sing with local flag

The design of the flag is based upon the flag of the United States. In the canton are 50 white stars that represent the 50 US States. The red stripe represents the equator. The large yellow star represents Jarvis Island which is directly below or arguably on the equator - at 0 degrees.

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PHOTO CREDITS
English: "No Trespassing" sign of USFWS on Jarvis Island in the Pacific Ocean
October 2003. Joann94024 at en.wikipedia.Original Uploader was Joann94024 (talk) at 27 October 2006

Black and White - Millersville Settlement 1930s
http://www.jarvisisland.info/pictures_land.html

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Added July, 25 2012 - 9:51pm EST
Jarvis Island Flag as created by myself is now declared in the public domain. Anyone is free to copy and distribute the above flag for profit or not in the representation as a flag for Jarvis Island. Declared by the sole and original designer - Christopher Maddish.

Flag of Baker Island

Flag of Baker Island

This is the flag of Baker Island, a lonely speck in between the New Worlds - Australia and America. Although in the northern hemisphere, Baker Island is closer to Australia - making it from one geographic rule Australian Territory. Thus Baker Island is a tiny part of the Australian Sphere under US control.

The colours are red, white, blue and indigo. In the central position is a hermit crab. Along the upper fly is a triangular canton. The star pattern is based upon the 'Betsy Ross Design.' There are five stripes - three white and two red representing the five US states with a Pacific Ocean coast line - California, Oregon, Washington State, Alaska, and Hawaii.



Along the bottom hoist side is another triangular canton with five stars modeled on the star field of the current Australian flag. The canton is separated by a long version of the English flag that balances to the five American Stripes. Elements of the US American and Australian flags are included because Baker Island is mid-way between these two continents.

In the middle is a large indigo dexter blend with the drawing of a hermit crab. The charge is universal-substitutive which means that the hermit crab drawing is non-standard. Thus any image that remotely looks like a hermit crab can be substituted even Mr. Krabs from the SpongeBob Sqarepants television show.

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added May 20, 2012

After careful consideration and professional feedback from the 2012 Spring CBFA Meeting, thanks to Voron Xarya, a redesign is in order. No more skinny English Flag, rather it's replaced with a five stripe bend. The five stripes symbolize the five parts of the USA that are closest to the Australian Continent: American Samoa, Baker Island, Howland Island, Guam, and Rota of the Northern Mariana Islands. Believe it or not those five 'territories' of the USA are arguably geographically a part of Australia. There are a total of "13 divisions" so to speak - 4 red, 6 white, 1 indigo and 2 blue.

The southern cross is appropriate. America like Australia has native marsupials! I'm talking about opossums, no joke. The central crab is still "universal-substitutive" - meaning it can be anything that remotely looks like a hermit crab. I invented this term so children could make up their own Baker Island flag while learning a little bit about geography.

Baker Island Flag 2.0
"really, any crab will do"

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Added July 23, 2012

I, Christopher Maddish, the designer of the Baker Island flag release the above design/images of Baker Island Flag into the public domain. May any user feel free to print, copy, or share the image. However note that the crab is 'universal substitutive' meaning that the image of the central crab is non-specific and can be redesigned in any manner of the would be artist. However note the Kursty the Krab nor the biotech hermit crab are my own images to release.

PHOTO CREDIT
BAKER DAY BEACON
Joann94024 at en.wikipedia. English: Day Beacon, Baker Island, Pacific Ocean. 18 August 2008. Own Work

Original Black and White drawing of the hermit crab by http://d-r-a-y-a-s-h-a.deviantart.com/
http://d-r-a-y-a-s-h-a.deviantart.com/art/Biomech-Hermit-Crab-147651478?moodonly=1

Flag of Howland Island

Howland Island Flag

Howland Island is a tiny remote piece of America far off in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Its grand footnote in history is that it was supposed to welcome Amelia Earhart on her historic flight across the Pacific in 1937.

There was also the Battle of Howland Island during WWII. It was attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy on December 8, 1941 and two Americans were killed.

Amelia Earhart Memorial of Howland Island

The colours of Howland Island flag are red, orange, yellow, blue, indigo, purple, pink and white. In the upper hoist is the number 99 to represent the organization Ninety-Nines - a flight organization for women established in 1922, just after American women were given the gift to vote. Amelia Earhart was instrumental and the first president of the 99s. Near the lower fly is the lonely beacon left on Howland Island. This beacon was named after Amelia Earhart for her forlorn voyage across the Pacific. It is indigo with a pink heart in its center.




The five coloured striped rainbow arcs from the upper fly to lower hoist is a sinister bend. The rainbow creates four apparent blue stripes with the background. The rainbow signifies the inspirational light of Amelia Earhart for all people to follow their dreams - no matter what the naysayers or whatever negative judgements others may have.

The indigo and pink colours of the Earhart Icon represents the hope of young girls as well as boys to dream with a truest and purest heart.

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PHOTO CREDITS
Earhart Beacon:
Joann94024 at en.wikipedia.

Deutsch: Signalturm "Earhart Light" auf der Howlandinsel im Pazifik

English: Day beacon "Earhart Light" on Howland Island in the Pacific Ocean. 19 August 2008. Own Work.

Emily Earhart
PUBLIC DOMAN http://www.americaslibrary.gov/assets/aa/earhart/aa_earhart_learns_2_e.jpg

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Flag Image For Howland Island, Free USE -
PUBLIC DOMAIN DECLARATION
July 24, 2012 - 12:48pm EST
- As creator and vexillologist I, Christopher Maddish, release this flag into the public domain to be copied and used for any purpose. Citations are not necessary. As the original artist I free the flag of Howland Island designed by myself.

Flag of Kepler 22b

This is the flag of Kepler 22b, the smallest earth like planet in green life zone.

Never Ending Story, part 3 - American Flag in the School Attic

American Flag is neatly folded on the
shelf behind the left shoulder of Sebastian

The American Flag makes a small appearance in the Never Ending Story 1984. Oddly, Bastian the hero of the movie, skips class to hide in the school attic so he can read a book.

Here Bastian has trouble grasping that fantasia and reality are magically intertwined by mystical threads of fate and karma. The hero in the book is reading about his higher self in a magic mirror.


The Luck Dragon Snuggled with Atreyu - Sebastian

Are we the dreamer or the dream? Welcome to my dream and I'll wish tonight that you'll have sweet dreams, so take note when you wake up tomorrow.

Find that small dream hidden in your heart. When you do a luck dragon will find and protect you. Didn't you know we are all a part of a never ending story?

Link to Part 1 of this thread
Happy Dreams await all Dreamers!!

Buckaroo Banzai, part 1- BB insignia and stuff

Although not a time machine
A truck that jumps through matter?

Before there was a flying DeLorean there was Buckaroo Banzai with a jacked up super nerd truck that allowed people to travel though the inner space of atoms in the 8th dimension, or something like that.

Buckaroo Banzai 1984 was science fiction movie with a more than overstated complicated plot. It featured a science-pimped truck that could travel though solid matter.

Buckaroo Banzai, the hero, is played by Peter Weller, a multi-talented genius who is a medical doctor, rock star, political aide to the president and most importantly... a particle physics research scientist.

Buckaroo Banzai Fan Club Member
note Buckaroo the rock star poster with group logo

The logo of this group - scientific and musical - features a letter B facing itself. Sometimes it was yellow, red, or other colours. It was the sign for Buckaroo.

This movie was ahead of the times, perhaps too far ahead? A remake could definitely work. If a sequel were made it has the serious potential of being one those rare franchises where the sequel is better than than original like Mad Max 1979 which lead to the more than awesome Road Warrior 1981. They could even go out of order and make a prequel to 1982 - it'd fit perfectly for the irrational quantum realities posed by modern nuclear physics and string theory. Somebody call Spielberg, Bob Zemeckis, and James Cameroon!

Although Buckaroo Banzai movie didn't meet box office expectations, it successfully launched Peter Weller into an epic cyborg-cop orbit and prepared Mr. Lloyd for time travel hijinks with Mr. Fox.

Mr. Banzai with mission patch
for transporting through matter

Buckaroo Banzai lives up to its odd semi-retro 50s sci-fi name. After passing though matter, Buckaroo inspects his trans-dimensional truck. Over his heart is the mission patch that reads 'Team Banzai' with a vehicle up top with an 80s style Atari flames in yellow, red, and orange.





The quirky quintessential 80 music theme

Avatar Insignia, part 2 - arm patch insignia

Marine Pandora Mission Patch - right arm
Science sortie pilot Trudy Chacon

The visually stunning movie Avatar 2009 was an epic award winning science fiction film by James Cameroon. Humans have learned to travel to their closest neighboring star system - Alpha Centauri and a clash of planets occurs over precious resources.

Of vexillological interest are the military badges that humans wear on the right arm. It is a pentagonal shape. Divided in the center - the right half is red with a blue and white sphere. The left half is blue with several indiscernible markings.

Native Na'vi arm band rank - left arm

The natives of Pandora the Na'vi also employ an armband type of marking. However each person has their own design. To the right Jake Sully in this Na'vi body wears an arm band with two colourful 'feathers.'

Dances with Wolves - part 5, the shield of arms for Ten Bears

Lakota Shield painted by Ten Bears

One shield is clearly shown in Dances with Wolves 1990. The design of a shield has always been keen custom long before the formal development and institutionalization of heraldry.

It has a center pale partition, dexter azure, sinister gules, both sides are charged with dragon flies flying upwards following a wispy trail.

Avatar Insignia, part 1 - RDA

The Venture Star with RDA Corporate Logo

Audiences around the world whipped away to an imaginative tale about our neighboring star system - Alpha Centauri - by James Cameroon in Avatar 2009.

The story is set on an imaginary planet where the native blue skinned peoples live on resource that humans desperately want for it's high value. The RDA corporation uses remote control bodies to manipulate the natives off their 'sacred' land.

In RDA logo can be seen in several shots. The first time the logo of RDA corp. can be seen on a space ship above Pandora.

RDA Mining Truck on Pandora

In another shot the an RDA minning truck passes in front of Jake Sully - the hero of the story. The colours of RDA corp. are yellow, white, and navy blue. The logo consists of four circles - linked four petal flower. The chief and base discs are yellow. On the sinister side is a navy blue disc and on the dexter side is a white disc with a blue outer ring.

Official Logo of RDA - Resources Development Adminstration

Never Ending Story, part 2 - arms of the fallen kinght

First Gate of the Southern Oracle

The Never Ending Story 1984 is an inspirational fairytale movie for children and adults. In it a builled boy who likes to read skips class to read a book that opens the door to fantasia.

In one scene our hero - Atreyu - must pass the first test of the Southern Oracle which a person must pass trough. Essentially to cross this rift one must have the purest of intentions and complete confidence from within and look death in the eye while continuing on.

Close up of the knights shield of arms

Before Atreyu attempts to pass through, a knight in shining armor tries and fails. Atreyu must then pass by looking death in the eye and continue on his journey. The knight with shining armor has a coat of arms. It is a regular bend partition dexter gules sinister azure. Each partition is charged with a lion rampant facing dexter.

link to part 3

Never Ending Story, part 1- the AURYN, a Badge for Fantasia

first appearance of the AURYN

The film the Never Ending Story 1984 is based on a story written by Michael Ende of Germany in 1979. In it a bullied little boy learns about the power of fantasia and unlimited bounty of imagination. The movie is a story within a story that even hints at the presence of the audience.

The world of Fantasia is under attack by a fear mongering entity known as the Nothing. The Nothing preys upon people without dreams so they can be controlled. When people live without dreams they become virtual zombies and give away their power to the empty soulless power hungry Nothing.

Thus if you think you have been bitten by a zombie and may be infected, find a dream - find it fast and never let it go! A Luck Dragon will find you, believe me!

Atreyu is chosen to save Fantasia

The badge of the chosen hero is the AURYN. The AURYN is similar to an ouroboros - a snake that is eating its own tail. But in The Never Ending Story the AURYN is composed of two snakes symmetrically intertwined and chasing or latched upon each others tail. The upper snake is gold and the lower snake is green in inner fantasia - the fantasy world of a fantasy.

But in Bastian's universe the AURYN is found as a monochrome decorative seal on the book he borrowed.

Link to part 2 of this thread

Yin and Yang with Heraldry - Goonies 'R' Good Enough by Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper holding a box
with a typical Modern American Heraldic Shield

An appropriate anthem and video for the economic climate of 2011 could be Goonies 'R' Good Enough 1984 by Cindy Lauper. The video is based on the movie Goonies 1984. In the video Cyndi's Mom and Pop Gas Station that gives "cookies while you wait" is visited by their cheating creditors.

In the beginning of the video Cyndi is seen carrying a box with a heraldic shield on it. The shield is typical of modern American Corporate design - azure fess argent. In the Chief is reads "PEERLESS." There is other indiscernible text in the base and argent fess.

Smiley and Frownie Face Badge

In the video creditors or bad guys all wear a frownie badge. The frownie-bad guys included Rowdy Roddy Piper, the Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkof, and Freddie Blassie.

On the good guy-home team with smiley face badge is Captain Lou Albano, Cindy Lauper, Dave, and Wendy. The smiley and frownie face badges ranged in colours from red to yellow.

The economic strain put on Cyndi and her friends is a certain reality that many Americans and people all around the world feel right now as of 2011. Thousands of families have lost their homes and hundreds of business small and large have become memories - Borders, Circuit City, etc...

Video Goonie 'R' Good Enough 1984

Confederate Flag and Cyndi Lauper

Notice Confederate and American Flags

Cyndi Lauper's She Bop topped the Billboard Charts in the spring of 1984. The song was off her She So Unsusual album. The song's controversial nature subsequently was reinforced with a wave of the Confederate Flag in her video.

As Cyndi leaves her car she meets the hunky and bad boy biker wearing a Confederate Flag. It can be seen on the upper left side of his jacket. On the other side is the American Flag.

Beef Cake Biker Gang

The icon of the fanciful Beef Cake Biker gang consists of a four pointed yellow crown with three black trapezoids.

The director of the video associates rough and tumble biker gangs with the Confederate Flag - at least controversially.




She Bop Video from 1984

Dances with Wolves - part 4: the eagle father flag

Lakota Indians from Dances with Wolves

The Lakota where the people portrayed in Dances with Wolves 1990. The background of this shot was in perfect harmony with Native Americans. Note that Every spear or lance is intricately decorated as to indicate the user. Used in a similar manner to heraldic lance pennons.


A heavily feathered Native American 'Pennon'

A close up image of the highly symbolic and decorative lance of one of the Lakota. It is safe to assume that the amount of feathers and the more elaborate, are proportional to rank and position. Note the Native American lance pennon was used in a similar manner as a flag in a cavalry unit.

Another Image of the Lakota on Horse

In this picture the Lakota have taken John Dunbar's advice and found the trail of the desperately needed herd of buffalo.

Flagology - the scientific study of flags, only

Flagology Definition: the study of flags, only.

Vexillology is a big word that covers all types of poles with decorative items. It includes heraldry, aircraft markings, ancient Egyptian pole markers, and even military medals and pins. But Flagology only concerns itself with flags. Flagology concerns itself with flags and their depiction in various media - such as art, prints, movies, and in photographs.

Flagginese - the various terms associated with Flagology. Ex - The jargon and code for Flagology is Flagginese.

Flaggist - male, female, or inter-sexed person who studies Flagology, with published articles. Ex - Dr. Scmidt Witty is a Flaggist.

Flagmen - a male person who studies Flaogology, with published articles. Ex - The flagmen were required to wear jock straps when playing capture the flag.

Flageress - a female person who studies Flagology, with published articles. Ex -The flageress gave birth to two sets of triplets, so they called her the Sextomom.

Flagtastic - something that garners attention about flags. Ex - The Confederate Battle Flag is Flagtastic in Canada and the United States but no where else.

Flagee - a person who studies flags as a hobby but has never been professionally published. Ex- The flagee read over 300 books about flags and knew all of the world flags by heart, and knew more about flags than anyone but was never published so was ignored on important flag issues.

Flagish - the apparent non verbal communication between a flag and observer. Ex - Many Native Americans and wise men from the East recognize that flags can communicate beyond words.

Flagosity - when a flag captures your attention and penetrates your soul. Root Curiosity.

Flagalicious - When your heart pounds when a flag you love speaks 'Flagish' to your heart. Root to delicious. Ex - Sports fans enter a flagalicous state of mind before the game began when the cheerleader waved their flag.

Flagatecht - A person who designs flags. Ex - The Flagatecht was paid with bananas for her design of Banana Republic Flag.

Flaggit - a person who negatively judges another flag, and not open to another positive point of view of the flag in question. Ex - The flaggit mocked and burned Rudolph's flag because it had too many colours, patterns, and the word 'love.' OTHER DEFINITION - a person who flies their sports team flag from their car window.

Dances with Wolves - part 3, the US Civil War Flags

Union Flag in Dances with Wolves

The epic drama Dances with Wolves 1990 is set during the US Civil War. The movie opens with a battle scene between the North and the South. John Dunbar does not want to live as a cripple and is worn of war. He tried to end his life but ends up giving the Union an accidental victory.

Confederate Flags in Dances with Wolves

The South flying the Confederate Battle Flag which is the square saltire. Behind it is the official flag of the Confederacy which at this time had 'three' thick stripes - red, white, and red with a 'Betsy Ross' canton of several stars.

Note the Confederate Officer has a feather in his cap. Perhaps he has some Native American heritage?

UK flag in Disney's Tarzan 1999

UK flag in Tarzan 1999

The UK Union Flag makes an appearance in Disney's Tarzan. When the gorillas explore the camp of the humans Tarzan's big sister climbs a pole with the flag on it.

The cosmic coincidence about Tarzan is that in the novel Jane comes into contact with the 'Ape Man.' Nearly 50 years later a real life Jane would make personal contact with 'Ape Men' of central Africa.

As Tarzan was a fictional being that bridged the gap between ape and man, Jane Goodall is a non-fictional being that also bridged the gap between man and ape.

Dances with Wolves, part 2 - Ten Bears' Vexilloid

The elder of the John Dunbar's adopted tribe in Dances with Wolves is Ten Bears. Ten Bears was witness to comming and passing of the Spanish and French, before the arrival of the Yankee.




Ten Bear's vexilloloid consists of a hook shaped fuzzy candy candy cane decorated with various items.

Close Up of Ten Bears with primitive flag

Dances with Wolves & Kicking Bird vexillology, part 1

John Dunbar with US Military Guidon Flag

Released in 1990 Dances with Wolves became a sparkling jewel cast in gold. The movie is set during the US Civil War period and a US Army Officer sick of fighting and the bloodshed gets a fateful opportunity to see the American Frontier before it disappears.

Kevin Costner plays as the semi-fictional John Dunbar. His distaste for war and curiosity to see the disappearing natural and wild American Frontier leads him on a winding road of war, romance, and a spiritual journey towards the inner and true heart of America.

Kicking Bird with Vexilloid

The wise medicine man - Kicking Bird - of the plains senses that John Dunbar is different from his wild American brethren. Kicking Bird is able to see that Dunbar is more that just a visitor and more of an man deserving a real name.

In this picture Kicking Bird is holding his personal vexilloid - a primitive flag. It consists of a several Eagle feathers and a red woven fabric with a white fringe attached to a bow.

Wind in the Hair & Kicking Bird
meeting John Dunbar of the US Army

The decorated spears that the Plains Indians carried had as much symbolic meaning as the US flag did for John Dunbar. However the Native American flags were of a personal nature like heraldry. The flag that Dunbar carries represented his tribe but not John Dunbar the individual.



John Dunbar with US Guidon

In other words, Newcomer Euro-Americans like the Native Americans carried decorated poles that served to identify and represent themselves. Native Americans had very individualized organic flags while Newcomer Americans had refined manufactured flags that represented a large community.


Happy Thanksgiving!

A family from Punjab: the Sikh-Khalistani and Roma-Gypsy

Flag of Khalistan
a nation that almost was

Here is another cosmic or rather earthly pair of fraternal flag twins that originate out of the enchanted land known as Punjab in India. The forlorn flag of Khalistan and flag of the Roma.

The Roma commonly known as Gypsies are distant cousins to people of Punjab in India. Currently Punjab has been graced as the homeland to the Sikh Religion. The Sikh Religion in a way acts as a bridge between the Abrahamic and Hindexic Religions - the two most ancient religions to survive unto the modern world, that have both given rise to many rival branches and schools of thought.

Flag of the Roma
a nation that never was

Neither the Roma-Gypsy nor Sikh-Kalistani have a recognized nation state. Rather they are people with a defined way of life. The Roma-Gypsy were fated to roam across the western world while the Sikh-Kalistani have stayed home cloistered between a dominantly Hindu-India and Islamic-Pakistan.

1971 were watershed moments in both histories as the Roma Flag became official at the 1971 Roma World Congress held at London. In balance to that the founder of the Kalistan-Sikh Nation - Jagit Singh Chauhan - proclaimed the existence of the Independent Nation of Kalistan in the New York Times (October 13, 1971) where the Sikh Religion would no longer have to play second or third fiddle to the Hinduism or Islam in the Punjabi Region.

The harmony between the flags is rather subtle. They are divided banners in the middle, the Roma with a fess and the Khalistani with a pale. Centered on both flags is a religious icon a red wheel for the Roma and a black Sikh symbol. Harmony lies in a the over all design of the flag elements and the colour blue - the colour of law.


"Pujab, Punjab, a land that the Romani could call home or mother. You were indeed home for a long lost brother. Loved by Islam and hoped for by the Hindu, an enchanting heart you are for any Jew. Your perpetually golden temple shines bright for all. Your virtual nation and flag shine with awe. Both turn 40, what of coincidence! Never fear, your over the hill and its all in Gods will, easier it will be, for your perpetual journey, towards your splendid and enchanted romantic destiny."

Nauscaa of the Valley of Wind Flag - Tolmikia

In the epic Japanese film Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind 1984 the people of the valley are invaded by the Tolmikian Nation. After taking over the village their flag is raised over the village.

The flag uses the colours black, red, and yellow. The main charge is a red dragon with a head on its head and tail on a black field. The head and tail headed red dragon is looped. In the middle is yellow-gold sword pointed downwards.


Another flag of the Tolmikian Flag flying above the military leader -a princess.

Syria and Iraq - Fraternal Twins

Flag Syria 1932-1958, 1961-1963

Syria and Iraq have had hundreds of different nations fly flags over their soil. But in the modern era they have been conjoined as Arab Nation States - ever so similar yet completely different.

There are two modern day 20th century versions that match by colour. Their matching colours are green, white, black and red. They are both divided equally in three parts but different ways. Syria horizontally and Iraq vertically. The old Syrian flag has three red stars reflective of night while the old Iraqi flag has yellow sun with eight red rays reflective of day.

Their flags were in official alignment at the dawn of the space age from 1961 unto 1963.

Flag of Iraq 1959-1963

They align like Yin and Yang - Syria facing west on Mediterranean Sea in tribute to the Atlantic and Iraq towards the east on the Persian Gulf in tribute to the Indian Ocean. They are both biblical lands were all of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Mormonism all agree that the will of God was revealed to man. Forget about landing on the moon, all the leaders of the Western World believe that the God spoke to mankind in both Iraq and Syria.

Both nations were settings for the Old Testament. And technically speaking Abraham was born in ancient Iraq and lived in ancient Syria. Although Islam is the strongest anthem in both nations, the original ancient Asian Christian Churches are still active. They are in fact older than the Protestant, Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox Churches of Europe.



Coincidentally both nations have been thrust in the tempest of change by the modern world and sit on the rift of the ancient and modern worlds. They have similar friends, enemies and frenemies. Their relationship with the West has been dynamic and vibrant. It can be summed up with a most common of paradoxes - bitter-sweet.

Just as their 'retired' black, white and green flags match so do their official pan-Arab black, white and red flags match. They are perpetual brothers locked by fate like the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. Similar, yet so different.

Maybe it's something about their latitude, which is on par with Texas. Like Texas, Iraqis and Syrians express their faith with utter conviction and fear not the shame of their inner light and outer calling. But unlike Texas, Iraq and Syria are root nations witness to the every changing historical drama and presence of divine will. The foundation to all the branches of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam trace their deepest of roots to these two nations.

Their water shed was of the original rivers mentioned in Book of Genesis. It is no wonder the word of God would have a deep impact on the character of this region.